Airship.



A. R. SILVERSTON. AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MARA, 1907.

Patented Sept. 9

A. R. SILVERSTON.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MARA, 1907.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A.I R. SILVERSTON.

AIRSHIP. APPLICATION FILED MARA, 19am- 1,072,663@ Patented-sepnglm.

e sHEETssHBBT www - OLA/M A. R. SILVBRSTON.

AIRSHIP. APPLICATION FILED MARA, 1907.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

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A. R. SILVERSTON.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1907.

Patetea Sept.9,1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

A. RL SILVBRSTGN.

AmsHIP.

' APPLICATION FILED MARA, 1907. l @7239@@30 l Mteled Sept. 9, 1913.

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UNITED sTATEs TATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY n. s'ILvERsToN, oF MILWAUKEE, wisooNsIN, AssIGNoR or ONE-HALF'ro WILLIAM woons PLANKINTON, or MrnwAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

.AIRSHIR Specification of Letters Patent.

ratenpted sept. 9. 191e.

vApplica-thin filed March 4, 1907. Serial No. 360,379.

[21 all l/o/Lofn'/l -l '/lmy/ Concern:

Be it known that I, ANTHONY R. SILVER- s'l'oN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofW'isconsim-have invented certain new andv useful Improvements inAirships, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in air ships, and the primaryobject of the invention is to provide an improved dirigi- A furtherobject is to provide an im-A proved device of this'character which willbe simple, cheap and durable in construction and effective and eicientin operation.

To the attainment ofthese ends, and the accomplishment of other new an'duseful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in the construction, combi-nation and arrangement of the severalparts hereinafter more, fully described and claimed and shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which: j

Figure l isa longitudinal sectional view of an improved air shipconstructed' in accordance with the principles of 'this invention. Fig.2 is a front end elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal side elevation of a modified form of air ship,with an improved form of aeroplane attachment. Fig. 5 is a sideelevation of another form of the inven tion, with a modified form 'ofaeroplane attachment. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.Fig. 7 isa detailed sectionall view similar to Fig. 6, showing theaeroplane in an adjusted position. Fig. `8

vis a detailed top plan view of Fig. 4. Fig.v 9

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the same reference numeralsdesignate similar parts throughout these severalI exemplifications ofthe invention, and the numeral 20 designates .a tubular body portion,preferably cylindrical in cross section, of any desired size andconstructed of any suitable material, such as metal or the like. Theforward end of the tubular body portion 20 is preferably flared orenlarged as at 21, to produce a funnel shaped end, and the walls of saidflared end are so disposed as to the body portion 20 and the diameter ofthe latter is such as to form a direct passage for the air through thebody portion, regardless of the position or angle of deflection of thesaid body as shown more clearly by the dotted lines indicated by thereference nu- `meral A, in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The

length of the uniform portion of the body 20 beyond the flared end 21 ispreferably such that the air currents entering the flared end andfollowing the walls diametrically opposite each other would meet eachother at a point substantially intermediate the. length of the uniformortion 20 of the body. This body portlon, together with the flaredextremity 21, is open at both ends, and' any suitable means may beprovided and located within the tubular portion to 'draw the air intothe forward or enlarged end of the body and discharge the same throughthe rear end thereof. A suitable and eiicient means for accomplishingthis purpose comprises a propeller ofiany dej sired construction,preferably in the shape of a fan 22, which is provided with radiallyprojecting wings or blades, and the diameter of said fan or propeller 22is of a size slightly less than the diameter of the body portion 20, sothat the fan or propeller will substantially fill or'extend across. thebody portion without interfering with lthe rota tion thereof. This fanor propeller is preferably secured for rotation upon a suitable shaft23, which extends longitudinally through the body, portion, and isjournaled insuitable'bearings 24, which are located," preferablyadjacent vthe diametric center of the said body portion. v

The body'portion may be suitably braced in any desired manner, 'but'asimple and eliicient means comprises a plurality of encircling rings'25, and these ringsv are 1o cated Pl'fl'ebly adjacent the ends and alsoprovided for this purpose, such as a iexible belt or member 30, whichconnects the power device 29 with the shaft 23.

Located adjacent, and extending across the inlet end of the bodyportion, and standing preferably in a vertical plane, is a rudder 31.Depending from this rudder is a suitable bar or rod 32, to the freeextremity of which is secured a suitable cross bar or arms 33, andconnected to the ends of this cross bar or arms 33 are flexible members34, which are adapted to be wound upon a drum 35 located within the car27, and said drum is provided with a tiller wheel 36 for rotating thedrum, and when said'drum is rotated the ilexible members 34 will berespectively wound or unwound so as to rock the rudder 33 to deflect themachine.

The shaft 23 preferably projects beyond the forward end of the bodyportion and terminates in advance of the rudder 31, and secured to thefree extremity of said shaft is a suitable fan or propeller 37, which isof any suitable size and diameter, and said fan or propeller 37 assistsin propelling the machine in a manner to be hereinafter more fully setforth.

Pivotally secured by one end, in any suitable manner, and adjacent thedischarge or outlet end of the body portion, are a pair of deflectors ormembers 38, which are preferably spaced from and parallel with eachother', one of which is preferably located adjacent the'top, and theother adjacent the bottom of the body portion, and said deliectors ormembers are preferably of a size to extend across the end and projectfor some distance beyond the body portion, and in a direction transverseto the rudder 3l. These delectors or members 3S may be constructed ofany suitable material and are preferably connected at their sidesbysuitable liexible members 39, so as to form a tubular pivoted portionadjacent the end of the body portion which is open at its free end, andthrough which the air passes after being discharged from the bodyportion. These deiectors or members 38 are adapted to be moved abouttheir points of pivotal support to the position shown m dotted lines inFig. y1 of the drawings so as to direct the air current upwardly, whichwill tend to raise the front end of the body and cause the machine toascend, or they may be deflected in an opposite direction when themachine is in mid air so as to discharge the air downwardly which woulddeflect the front end of the body downwardly to cause the machine todescend when the motor .is in operation. Any suitable means may heprovided for controlling or adjusting these deflectors or members 38. Asimple and efficient means for accom-- plishing this purpose comprises abar or rod 40, one end of which is pivotally scoured, as at 41, lo theupper delector or member 38, and also is connected With thel lowermember as at 42; rod 43 may be pivotally connected at one end to thebody portion 20, as at 44, and pivotally connected as at 45 to the haror rod 40. 'The lower extremity of the bar or rod 40 terminatespreferably adjacent the car 27, and may be bodily raised or lowered byYmeans of a suitable bcll-crank lever 4G, one end of which is connectedto the bar or rod 40, and'connected to the free end of said bell-cranklever 46 is a flexible member 47, which is adapted to be wound upon asuitable drum controlled by a tiller wheel 48. When the drum is rotatedby the tiller Wheel 48 the bell-crank lever 46 will be moved about itspoint of pivotal support as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l to move thedeflectors or members/'38 to the position as shown in dot-ted lines inFig. 1 of the drawing.

In theexempliication of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of thedrawings` a suitable gas bag 49 surrounds and is secured to the bodyportion 20, and passing A suitable bar or through said gas bag is aliexible tubular member 50, which is adapted to be threaded ,on to thebody portion 20, and said tubular portion also serves as a means toprevent the escape of the fluid. The gas bag is preferably provided witha pocket 51, through which the flexible member or belt 30 passes andsaid pocket also serves as a means to permit one of the supports 28 forthe car 27 to be secured to the body portion 20 intermediate the ends ofthe latter.

In the exemplication of the invention shown in Figs. 4 to l0 of thedrawings suitable improved aeroplancs are provided instead of the gasbag 49, and in the exempliication shown in Figs. 4 and 6 to 8 the improved aeroplane comprises a flexible body portion comprising twomembers 52 which are pivotally connected by one end, as at 53. Theextremities of these body portions 52 arelaterally deiected as at 54, inopposite directions, and said deflected portions are disposed on alongitudinal oblique line, extending preferably from a point adjacentthe point of junction of the body portion 20 with the tiared extremity21 toward the prises two adjustable folding sections 59,.

21. v This aeroplane is mounted for pivotal movement on the top of thebody portion 20, in any suitable manner, such as by means of pivots onthe extremity of the same journaled in suitable bearings on the body portion. so that when the machine is in mid air, and 4,the currents of airshould strike the machine transversely of the body portion, the saidaeroplane will be moved bodily about its point of pivotal support withthe body to prevent the machine from being blown over. Any suitablemeans may be provided for holding the aeroplane in its normal position,but a simple and eiiicient means for accomplishing this purposecomprises a suitable number of weighted arms or balancing rods 53a whichproject laterally from the sides of the aeroplane and extend to a pointbelow the diametric center of the tubular body portion 20, and said armstend to maintain the equilibrium of the aeroplane. This improved form ofaeroplane is adapted to be expanded o r opened to the position as shownin Fig. 7 of the drawing, by means of suitable flexible members 55, toincrease the surface of the planes to allow a parachute action, one endof 'which is secured to the body portions 52 of the aero* plane, and theother .extremities are adapted to pass around a suitable drum in thecar, which latter is adapted to be rotated by a tiller wheel 56, so thatwhen the drum is rotated the flexible members will .be wound upon thedrum and draw the bodyportions 52 of the aeroplane apart on their pointsof pivotal support. The'v body portions 52 of this aeroplane are adaptedto be held normally-dn contact with each other, and in the positionshown 'in Fig. 6 of the drawing, in any suitable manner, preferably bymeans of a suitable spring 57 against the tension of which the bodyportions 52 are moved whenv the aeroplane is spread, as shown in Fig. 7,and when the flexible menlbers 55 are unwound from' the drums the spring57 will serve to return the body portions 52 to their normal position.Suit-able guides 58 may be ,provided which are preferably secured to thebody portion 20 through which the flexible members 55 are adapted topass to permit an easy movement of said members, and when the aeroplaneis adjusted or spread the extremities thereof will project laterallybeyond the sides and adjacent the top of the main body portion 20.

In the exemplification shown in Figs. 5, 9 and 10 of the drawing theaeroplane comwhich are pivotally supported by the' main body portion2,0, and extend substantlally the entire length thereof and arecounterbalanced by the weighted arms 59" as 1n the other forms of theinvention. These aeroplanes are preferably located abovethe dief ccenter of the body 21', Imi

spaced from 'each other, and preferably projected laterally from' theopposite sides thereof upwardly and in a-n inclined dirci-f tion, asshown more clearly in Fig. 10 of the drawing. The sections constitutingthe aeroplanes 59 are pivoter] as at 60. preferably adjacent the forwardend of the body por tion, and said aeroplanes are' adapted to be spreadin any suitable manner, preferably by means of flexible members or cords6l, which are secured, respectively, by one end to the outer section ofthe aeroplane, and pass through the ends of a suitable guide 62, whichextends' transversely across the body portion 20, and is locatedadjacent t-he pivoted ends 60. -The free extremities of these flexiblemembers 61 are adapted to be Wound upon a suitable drum located withinthe car, and which is controlled by a tiller wheel 63, so that when thetiller wheel is operated to rotate the drum the `flexible members 6lwill be wound thereon to spread the aeroplanes into the position shownin Figs. 9 and. 10.

Any suitable means may be provided for folding or returning theaeroplanes to theirnormal position, that is, so that the aeroplanes restclosely against the side of the bodyV portion 20., A suitable. andefficient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a spring 64,against the tension. of

rwhich the sections of the aeroplane are adjusted when the aeroplane isspread.

Any suitable means may be provided for supporting the machine to permitit to move upon the surface of the ground when desired. A simple andefficient means for accomfplishing this purpose comprises a series olegs, which are preferably constructed ofy telescoping sections 65-66.The sections 65' may be pivotallysecured to the bodyportion in anysuitable manner, preferably to the rings 25 by one end thereof, and thefree extremities of these sections are`adapted to enter the tubularsections 66, within which are located suitable cushion devices, such assprings 67 or the like to take up the jar of the machine when the wheels68, which arel rotatably mounted on the free ends of the sections 66,.strike the ground on the descent of the machine. Suitable braces 69 mayalso be provided for the legs. These legs are of a suitable length sothat the wheels Ito support the car outV of contact with 'the surface ofthe ground, and their angle of 'inclination from the body portion 2Oisfsuch `will extend below the bottom of the car 27` isb rate of speedas much in excess of the speed of the outside air as it is desired thatthe machine shall tra-vel when in fiight and in mid air. A rotation ofthis fan or propeller 22 willsuck the outside air into the enlargedextremity 2l by normally tending to create a vacuum therein, and whenthe outsideair currents have passed into the machine and beyond thelongitudinal center thereof., at

which point theO fan or propeller is located,V

so as to permit a free passage of the air theretlnmigh, no matter atwhat angle of inclination the body portion 20 may be disposed, it willbe discharged through the other end of the body at a greater rate ofspeed than the speed ofthe outside air, thus causing the machine toadvance, and by increasing or decreasing the rate of speed of the fan orpropeller 22 the speed of travel of the machine maybe increased ordecreased.. eration the machine Will travel upon a straight orsubstantially straight line, and if provided with the supporting wheels68 the machine Will travel on the surface of the ground. In order toraise the machine-to 'mid-air the operator simply rotates the tillerwheel `48, which will adjust the defiectors or members 258 about theirpoints of pivotal support, and by raising the free extremities of thesemembers or defiectors tothe position shown in dotted lines in Fig.

1 the current of air discharged through the` rear of the body will bedeflected upwardly, which will cause the. forward or enlarged end 2l of'the body to be deflected upwardly, and as the air is drawn into t-hebody portion by the fan the suction created thereby will l'cause themachine to climb or be sucked upwardly until the desired height isreached, after which the operator may then adjust the deflectms ormembers 38 to the position as shown more clearly infnll lines in Fig. 1of the drawing, which Will discharge the air to the rear of the machinein a substantially stra-ight line, causing the ship to travel in theplane thus assumed until the members or deflectors 38'are again adjustedand will be maintained or suspended in midair by the current of airpassing therethrough. Obviously, when it is desired to make a descentthe deiiectors or members 38 Will be adjusted in the opposite direction,or to a position opposite to that shown in dotted lines in F ig. l ofthe drawings. Durig-the flight of the machine it may be deflected so asto change its course of travel by'g'means of the rudder 31, which iscontrolled by the tiller Wheel 36, the 'slot 31 in the rudder permittingthe latter to be free-ly adjusted about its points of pivotal support toassume any angle of deflection with relation to the body portion 20.

The fan or propeller 37, which is located in advance of the rudder 31,being opera- The propeller thus being in op# tively 'related to the fanor propeller 22, will rotate at the same rate of speed and willmaterially assist in propelling the machine, as this latter fan orpropeller not only has a tendency to draw the machine forward by itssuction on the outside air, but also serves to direct the air into theenlarged end 2] of the bodyportion 20. If desired, this latter fan oripropeller may be dispensed with and Vthe machine ivillbe propelledsolely by the fan or propeller 22.` It will thus be seen that no matterat whatjrate of speed the outside air is moving the machine will'advance at any desired rate of speed against the outside air currents solong as the propeller or fan 22 is rotated at a greater rate of speedthan the air currents. The air discharged through the rear end of themachine will strikeor brace against thev body of the outside air,respectively to which the machine is moving at a slower rate of speed,and advance or progress the machine.

In the exemplification shown in Figs. 4 to 10 of the drawing theaeroplanes serve to maintain the machine in mid-air and may be adjustedin' the manner already described so as -to permit the machine togradually descend, and said aerop anes being supported for pivot-almovement with relation to the main body portion and counterbalanced tomaintain their equilibrium, will assume a proper position with relationto the body portion so as to prevent the lnachine t'rom being seriouslyaffected by a sudden change in the air currents which might. strike themachine t'rorn the side or at a right angle to its course of travel.

In order that the invention might be fully understood by those skilledin the art, the details of the foregoing embodiments thereof have beenthus specifically described, but

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination in a dirigible air ship, a support, a pair ofaeroplanes supported by and extending longitudinally of the supportyeacharranged to extend beyond one side of the support, said pair ofaeroplanes being movable ,toward and awa from each other at will, andmeans operatively related to the aeroplanes for maintainingtheeq'uilibrium thereof.l i

i 2. In combination in a dirigible air ship, a support, a pair ofaeroplanes supported by and extending longitudinally of the support,each arranged to extend beyond one side of the body, said pair ofaeroplanes being movable toward and away from each other at will, andmeans operatively related to the aeroplanes for maintaining theequilibrium thereof. the said aeroplanes being located above thediametrie center of the support.

3. In combination in a dirigible air ship, a support, a rpair ofaeroplanes supported by and extending longitudinally of the body,

- each arranged to extend laterally beyond the gitudinally of the body,each .arranged to -through the body than the speed of extend beyond oneside of the body, said pair of aeroplanes being movable toward and awayfrom each other at will, and means operatively related to theaeroplanesv for maintaining the equilibriumthereof.

5. In combination in a dirigible air ship, a tubular body, means forforcing the air at a greater rate of speed the outside air, a pair ofaeroplanes supported by and extending'longitudinally of the body, saidaeroplanes being adjustable toward and away from each other at will, andcounterbalancing means operatively related to the said aeroplanes formaintaining the equilibrium thereof.

6. Incoinbination in a dirigible air ship, a tubular body, means forlforcing the air therethrough ata greater rate of speed than the speedof Tthev outside air, a pair of aeroplanes supported by and extendinglongitudinally of the body, said aeroplanes being adjustable toward andaway from each other at will, and weighted arms operatively -related tothe said aeroplanes for maintaining the equilibrium thereof.

7. An air shipl including in combination a support, apair of aeroplanessupported thereby each comprising sections in pivotal relation to eachother, means for adjusting said planes and sect-ions in directionstoward and away fromthe longitudinal axis of the support, and meansoperatively related to the aeroplanes forA counteibalancing saidaeroplanes.

' 8' An air Ship 1minding in combination a support., -a pair ofaeroplanes Supported.;

Va support, a pair means operatively for maintaining the equilibriumthereof..

Witnesses thereby in pivotal relationv to the support and with .respectto each other, said aeroplanes comprising sections adjustabletransvv'erselywith respect to the support, and

weighted arms operatively related to the aeroplanes for maintaining theequilibrium thereof. l l

9.4 An air ship including in combination a support, a pair of thereby,on an axis extending len hwise of the support and in pivotal relation tothe support and with respect to each other, said aeroplanes extendinglongitudinally with respect to the support and projecting laterallybeyond the support and comprising sections adjustable transversely withrespect to the support, and a weighted arm operatively related to eachof the aeroplanes for maintaining the equilibrium thereof.

l 10. An air ship including in combination a support, a pair thereby onaxes extending lengthwiseV of the support, and in pivotal relation tothe support and with-relation to each other, said aeroplanes extendinglongitudinally of the .machine and projecting laterally, beyond thesupport, said aeroplanes each Y vcomprising sections adjustable withrespect to each other and transversely with respect to the support,

and couiiterbalancing means'operatively re- -lated to each of theaeroplanes for maintaining the equilibrium thereof. 11. vAn air shipincluding in combination supported thereby wise of the support and'inpivotal relation vto the support and with relation to each other, saidaeroplanes projecting laterally -beyond the support, and counterbalancmgyrelated to the aeroplanes In testimony whereof I have signed lmy nameto this specilication, two subscribing witnesses, on t is 26th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1907.

ANTHONY R.

` EDWARD D. JENNEY,

ROBERT L. Fnos'r,

of aeroplanes supported' in the 'presence ofv aeroplanes supported ofaeroplanes pivotally on axes extending length v sinvERsToN.

